2021 champions Australia kickstarted their T20 World Cup 2024 campaign with a 39-run win over Oman at the Kensington Oval, Barbados on Wednesday (local time). While the margin reflects a straightforward win for Mitchell Marsh & Co., the Men in Yellow had some tough moments to overcome to beat the lowly-ranked side. Australia rode on Marcus Stoinis’ 36-ball 67*, and 3 for 19, and David Warner’s 51-ball 56 to post 164-5 and defended it by restricting Oman for 125/9.
Talking about the contest, Oman opted to bowl first and had Australia struggling at 37 for 1 in the powerplays. Travis Head fell early and Warner-Marsh couldn’t find the boundaries at ease on a sluggish pitch coupled with some disciplined bowling from Oman. In the middle-overs, Marsh and Glenn Maxwell, whose poor run of form continues from IPL 2024, departed soon and Warner was joined by Stoinis. The duo took their time, with Warner playing the anchor role, but Stoinis got a reprieve and made the most of it from thereon.
Stoinis’ 36-ball 67 was laced with 2 fours and 6 sixes as 58 came off the death overs to take his side to an above-par total. Meanwhile, Warner also surpassed Australia’s T20 WC-winning captain Aaron Finch to become the country’s highest run-getter in the format.
Oman bowlers lost the plot in the end overs, dishing out full-tosses at Stoinis, after a fine start. Mehran Khan was the most-successful bowler with 2 for 38. The medium pacer was also on a hat-trick at one point.
In the run-chase, Oman were never in it with Mitchell Starc — who had an injury scare but later confirmed it was just cramps — set the tone for the one-time winners. Nathan Ellis and Stoinis chipped in as well as Oman were reeling at 29 for 3, further reduced to 56 for 5. While Ayaan and Mehran Khan played decently, they started the counterattack too late and had much to do. As a result, they managed 125 for 9 in 20 overs.
At the post-match presentation, Player-of-the-Match Stoinis said, “Nice start, we got the win and boys spent some time in the middle and everyone got to bowl. I was trying to soak up the conditions and keep it simple. Couple kept low and couple were spinning for the spinners. It seemed like swing wasn’t available, and I was trying to get some bounce with cross-seam deliveries.”
Australia’s next clash is against arch-rivals England on June 8 (Saturday) in Barbados.
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